School staff, students line up for vaccine after measles case confirmed

Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald04.04.2014

Measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and in rarer cases, death. “It’s a vaccine-preventable disease, so get the vaccine,” said Dr. Judy MacDonald, Alberta Health Services medical officer of health in Calgary.

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Dozens of non-immunized staff and students at Western Canada High School lined up for measles shots this week after one of two new cases of the contagious virus reported in Calgary was confirmed in a student.

Public health officials offered the vaccine to 36 staff and 71 students at the school, said Dr. Judy MacDonald, Alberta Health Services medical officer of health in Calgary.

Students who aren’t fully immunized will be asked by public health officials to stay home from school until April 21 to prevent further spread of the disease, according to a statement from the Calgary Board of Education.

It’s the second time this year a measles case has emerged at the school.

Officials with the public school board declined an interview, but in an emailed statement said families of students who aren’t up to date with their measles vaccination will be contacted by AHS by the end of the day Friday.

AHS also issued an alert on Thursday that patrons of two restaurants — National in WestHills and Cibo — may have been exposed to measles as a result of the new cases and should watch out for symptoms.

So far this year, the city has seen five confirmed cases.

AHS didn’t provide information Thursday about the age or gender of the latest two cases, but MacDonald said both individuals weren’t immunized.

The two people, whose cases are linked, have no history of travel to locations in Canada or abroad that are experiencing outbreaks of measles said MacDonald.

“What this indicates to me is that this isn’t as simple as we thought. There might be an undercurrent, cases of measles in our Calgary area that we are not thinking of, are not being picked up by the medical community and thus tested or reported to us,” said MacDonald.

“You just never know where you might be exposed to measles. There is measles in the world and it’s not always related to a recent trip out of the country.”

Measles vaccine is offered for free in Alberta.

Two doses are needed to provide protection. The first shot is typically given at 12 months of age, followed by a second dose between the ages of four and six years.

Calgary saw three confirmed cases in January, including two linked to travel in the Philippines. Two of the patients were immunized — an occurrence MacDonald described as rare.

She said the health authority is still working to tackle misinformation that continues to circulate about the vaccine.

“There certainly has been lots of, I’m going to call it simply misinformation out there being perpetuated through social media and who knows what other channels about MMR vaccine,” said MacDonald.

“When you have people questioning, maybe I shouldn’t get MMR vaccine but measles is out there, you end up with cases showing up.”

Measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or even death.

“It is a serious disease. I don’t know what it’s going to take to get people to realize measles is serious, measles is out there . . . it’s a vaccine-preventable disease, so get the vaccine.”

MacDonald said people should turn to credible, scientific information sources when researching measles and vaccine.

According to the CBE statement, during the quarantine period for non-immunized staff and students, there are nine instructional days of school.

“The Calgary Board of Education is in the process of developing plans to support students so they can continue to progress through their courses during this time,” according to the CBE statement.

Measles exposure alerts:

National Pub WestHills, at 180 Stewart Green SW, on March 24 and 25, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Cibo, at 1012 17 Ave SW, on March 29 and 30 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Western Canada High School, between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on March 31.

Symptoms include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, and at least one of cough, runny nose and red eyes. After a few days, a splotchy rash appears behind the ears and spreads down the body.

Measles in Alberta by the numbers:

1986, 1997, 2000, 2013: Outbreaks in Alberta

1988: The last time an Albertan died from measles

88.21: Provincial MMR immunization rate in 2008

84.26: Provincial MMR immunization rate in 2012

1982: The province introduces the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine into the routine immunization program

1970: People born before this year are generally presumed to have natural immunity to measles

42: Confirmed measles cases in the Lethbridge area in outbreak that began October 2013, ended January 2014.

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School staff, students line up for vaccine after measles case confirmed

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